City of Toronto hosting public consultation sessions to review bylaws on sidewalk patios and boulevard cafés

The City of Toronto's Municipal Licensing and Standards division has undertaken a review of the City's bylaws governing boulevard cafés/sidewalk patios as well as the operation of sidewalk stalls outside businesses. The goal is to create one bylaw for Toronto.

Each former municipality has a pre-amalgamation bylaw that regulates boulevard cafe and marketing activities. As a result, the requirements, approval processes, permit types and application fees are different depending on the area where the business is located.

As part of this review, the City is hosting a series of public consultation meetings to discuss the existing bylaws and items to consider when drafting the new bylaw.

Topics include:- the role of residents and local business owners in the permit issuance process- minimum sidewalk clearance to accommodate pedestrian traffic- new opportunities for establishing on-street boulevard cafés curbside and in on-street parking spaces where feasible- requirements concerning separation of the area including fencing, partial and full enclosures, and- design guidelines for construction.

Public consultation meetingsEach of the following four meetings will be held from 6 to 8 p.m.- Thursday, February 6 in City Hall's committee room 2- Tuesday, February 11 in East York Civic Centre's council chamber- Thursday, February 13 in Etobicoke Civic Centre's main boardroom- Tuesday, February 18 in North York Civic Centre's committee room 3